AFI KLM E&M and Sichuan Airlines have signed an agreement to organize component support for the Chinese carrier's fleet of A350s which will ultimately number four aircraft. With this contract, Sichuan Airlines becomes the first Chinese airline to opt for AFI KLM E&M's A350 component maintenance solutions.

The contract covers a broad spectrum of services, from repairs to organizing training sessions, plus parts availability services (access to AFI KLM E&M's A350 spares pool), the deployment of a Main Base Kit (MBK) and a forward pool located in Chengdu.

The expertise acquired on the new-generation widebody by AFI KLM E&M, which is already providing full support for the Air Caraïbes fleet of A350s, also helped to swing the deal with Sichuan Airlines.

The European MRO Group, which works with Delta Airlines, has also bolstered its A350 component support capabilities in the United States - an additional guarantee of operational fleet support availability for Sichuan Airlines, which will operate its A350s on routes to North America.